Lubricating device for sewing machine loop-takers



Filed Dec. 21, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet l g. 21,1945. l, P PARRY 2,383,152V

LUBRCATINGDEVICES Fon SEWING MACHINE LoP-'mmns` Filed Dec.' 21, 194s 2 sheets-sheet 2 1P 56 Z9 P0@ J5 a .a i; N e.. A

Patented Aug. 21, 1945 LUBRICATING DEVICE FOR SEWING MACHINE LOOP-TAKEES Frank Parry, Bridgeport, Conn.: assigner to The Singer Manufacturing Company, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Elizabeth,

Application December 21, 1943, SerialNo. 515,083 17 Claims. (Cl. 112-2v56) This invention relates to loop-taker mechai nisms of sewing machines and, more particularly, to sewing machine loop-takers of the vertical-axis rotary hook type, and `has for an object toprovide improved means for automatiw `cally delivering lubricantdincontrolled quantity to the thread-carrier raceway of a verticalaxis rotary hook from a substantial supply of lubricant. l t t I I l A` fur-ther object of the invention is to supply a properly controlled quantity of lubricant, promptly upon initiation of the operation of the `sewing machine, to the raceway of a verticalaxis. rotary hook fromasupply of lubricant contained in a hook-mechanism casing, whereby `the hook raceway` is effectively lubricated during successive and shrtduration operation periods of the machine and is,` nevertheless,` freefrom `flooding conditions.

Other andv more specific objects of the invention will be apparent tion and claims. l

The present invention is in the nature` of a further improvement in the rotary-hook raceway lubricating devices of my U. S. Patent No. 2,334,644,N0v. 16, 41943, and my `pending U. s." Patent Application Serial No. 457,148 filed Sept.

3, 1942; certain features of the` two prior constructions being modified and` combined in `a novel manner toattain'the objects in view.

from the following descrip` The invention comprises V.the devices, comhina-tionsy andarrangements of parts hereinafter described in connection `with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment` ofthe invention and in which;

Figi 1 is a, frontside elevation, partlyin vertical sectiomof a4 portion of a sewing machine containing the `present improvement; `the section of the loop-taker bracket being taken substantially on the line I-I of Fig. 3. 2 represents a, transversel section of` the` bed-plate L taken in substantially-the; vertical plane containing ithe axis of rotation of thelloo'p-taker.

I Fig. `3 represents a Asection of theloop-taker bracket taken inpsubstantially .the horizontal plane containing the axis of rotation of the loop-taker` actuating shaft. Fig. i represents a fragmentary horizontal section of `the loop.-

taker bracket taken belowthat of Fig. 3 and on `substantially ythe line-4 4 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5

represents a vertical ysection taken `transversely of the loop-taker bracket on substantially the k porting bed-plate lo provided with left and right slide plates II `and I2 disposed at opposite sides of a ythroat-plate I3 suitably secured upon the bed-plate IIJ; Operating through the throatplate I3` is an endwise vertically reciprocatory `thread-carrying needle I4 which may be actuated in any usual or suitable manner. The work is advanced across the bed-plate by a feeddog I5 opposed in its work-engaging movements rby a conventionally spring-depressed presserfoot IIS.` f l Depending from the bed-plate I0 is a framelug I'I in which is securedl a horizontally apertured bearing-bushing I8.` Rotatably journaled 4in the bushing I8 and extending lengthwise of the bed-plate I0 is a horizontally disposed bedshaft I9 which is rotated once for each complete reciprocation of the needle I4.` The bed-shaft I9 functions .to actuate the loop-taker `and the Work-feeding mechanismof the machine.

Complemental to theneedle I4 in theiormation of lock-stitchesis a rotary loop-taker 2B of the vertical-axis rotary hook type and having a cup-shaped' body provided in the cylin-` drical side wall` thereof with a thread-loop `seizing ibeak 2|. vThe cylindrical sidewall of `the rotary hook Vis internally provided with an annular raceway 22; and journaled in said race- `way '22 is the peripheral bearing rib 23 ofv a thread-carrier 24 about which theneedle-thread loops are cast by the rotary hook; The threadcarrier 24 is restrained against rotation lwith the rotary hook in any usual or suitable manner.

Extending downwardly centrally` from the bottom wall of the'rotary hook 20, and preferably integral 4therewith, is a vertically disposed hook-shaft 25. At its upper end, the hook-shaft 25 is journaled in a ball-bearing 26 disposed in a vertical opening 21 provided in the substandany horizontal top wall 2s `of a loop-taker bracket or hook-handle- 29. At its lower end, the hook-shaft 25 is journaled in a vertically apertured member` in the form of a bushing 30 secured by a screw 3| in an opening 32 provided in the bottom Wall 33 of the hook-saddle 29. The `hook-shaft 25 terminates at its lower end Within the bushing-.aperture 34 in which the shaft 25 is journaled, whereby the lower end of the hook-shaft 25 is spaced a substantial distance from the. lower, end ofthe bushingaperture 34. Y

`The `hook-saddle 29 comprises a c'hambered and generally rectangular .casing having integral walls including the vertically spaced-top wall 28 and bottom wal133` above referred to,

a front wall 35 and an opposed curved rear Wall 36, a right hand end wall3land a leithand vend wall 38. The left end wall 38 ispartly cut .away and ismclosedbyy a detachablecover-plate 39 sealed by a suitable gasket 46. the rear wall 36 of the hook-saddle 29 is formed to provide a split lug 4I which is adjustably clamped by a screw 42 upon the bearing-bushing I8. Extending'from the front wall 35 of theV hook-saddle is a foot 43' secured by a screw 44 A portion of l to a sho-uldered lug 45 depending'frorn 'theV H vdriven spiral-gear 49 is disposed between the topA and bottom walls 28, and 33 of the hook-saddle,

and the upper end of said gear 49 engages the inner race-ring of avball-tl'i'rust-bearing 5I disposed in the top-wall opening 21 belowl and in spaced relationy to the ball-bearing 26. The ball-thrustbearing I is preferably spaced slightly from the hook-shaft and functions to `absorb any upward thrust transmitted to the hook-shaft 25 by theintermeshingjspiral gears 41 and 49.

The forward portion ofthe bottom wall 33 of the hook-saddle is of substantial thickness, whereby the upper face of the thickened wallportion fo-rms a horizontal ledge 52 disposed a substantial distance above the level of the bottom portion of the gear-cavity 46. The 1edge52 portion of the bottom wall 33 extends lengthwise of t'h'e front wall 35 of the hook-saddle and contains the opening 32. in ywhich the bushing is secured. The ledge 52 portion of the bottom wall 33 also contains a vertical aperture 53v in which is xedly disposed a valve-plug 54 having lthe upper end thereof preferably disposed slightly portion of the bushing-opening 34 isa cylindrical plug 65 having a diametral aperture 66 alined with the bushing-duct 64 and also having an upwardly open axial bore 61 extending upwardly from the aperture 66. The plug 65 seals the bushing-opening 34 against delivery of oil into said opening 34` through the bushing-duct 64ex- Y cepting by way of the plug-bore 61.`

Above the bushing-duct 66,v the plug 65 is reduced to provide an externally spirally threaded stem 68. The stem 68 extends upwardly into an axial opene ing or bore 69 formed in the lower end and extending longitudinally of the hook-shaft 25; said y stem 68r closely tting the side wall and being preferably slightly spaced from the end wall of the shaft-bore 69." The upper end of the stem68 is preferably disposed slightly below the level of the ledge 52.

`The hook-shaft 25 is longitudinally provided 'with an'XV inclined duct 18, of which the lower or intake end is connected with the relatively large shaft-bore 69 preferably axially of the shaft.

i The upper end of the duct'l terminates in the below the level of the `upperface Vof the` ledge 52. f

The valve-plug'54 has yan upwardly open axial bore 55 of which the lower end terminates within the length of the valve-plug.

The valve-plug 54 is adjustably entered at its upper end by the pointed lower end of a vertically disposed Valve-rod 56. The upper portion of the valve-rod 56 isformed to provide a flange 51 and a reduced upperl end 58jwhich freely enters a suitably apertured adjusting nut 59 threaded into an opening 68 provided in the hook-.saddleI top-wall 28. -Acoil-spring 6I surroundsthe valve-rod 56 and is interposed between the upper end of the valve-plug 54 and the valve-rod flange 51. The described valve-rod construction permits the lower end of the valve-rod to center itself in the valve-plug 54. wall-opening 60, the size of the opening at th'e upper end of the valve-plugbore 55 may be conveniently regulated and, particularly, as the nut 59 is accessible from above the bed-plate IU. If desired, `the upper end of the bore 55 maybe closed by the valve-rod 56.

The valve-plug 54 has a radial aperture 62, connecting the lower end of the valve-plug boreY 55 to a horizontal duct '63 formed in the bottomwall 33 of the hook-saddle; said duct 63 being horizontally inclined rearwardly to extend toward the rotation-axis of the hook-shaft 25.

Connecting the wall-duet 63 with the bushing-` opening 32 is a duct. 64 Yprovidedin the bushing 38 and alined withthe Wall-duct 63.

Tightly fitting and fixedly disposed in the lower bottom wall of the rotary hook 2,8 and is eccentric to the rotation-axis of thehook-shaft 25. Connected with t'hey upper end of the inclined shaft-duct 10 is a horizontally radial and preferably'rwick-lled naperture 1I provided in the bottom wall of the rotary `hoo-k 20.' At its outer end, the radia1'aperture'1l terminates within the hook-body'and is connected by a. wick-fined duct '12 in theside wall of the rotary hook to the vh'ook- -raceway 22.

erably in vertical alinement with the lower or The bore 61 of the stem 68 is prefintake` end of the shaft-*duct 10 and the lower or intake end of the shaft-duct 10 is preferably disposed slightly below the level ofthe ledge 52.

Thehook-saddle 2.9 has an internal corner-lug 13 at the juncture of thefront wall`35 and the right hand end wall 31; said corner-lug 13 extending downwardly'fromthe top wall 28 to the ledge 52. f The corner-lug 13 of the hook-saddle is provided lwith' a Verticalfilling aperture 14 ter-` `initiating' at its lower endin an angular cavity 15 formed in the wall of the ledge 52. The` cavity 15 is connected' by a passageway 16 in the botl tom wall of the hook-saddle with thev driving-gear By adjusting the nut 59 in the lcavityl 46. The'cavities 46 and 15, together with their connecting passageway16, Aform a lubricantreservoir adapted to hold a substantial quantity of lubricant. As indicated, for example in Fig. 2 of the drawings, the level ofthe lubricant when the machine is out of operation is lower than the ledge 52, whereby the lubricant is free to drain from said ledge. y

The upper end of the filling aperture 14 lis entered by an externally shouldered and vertically apertured bushing 11 which provides a support for the upper end of a conventional oil-level testrod 18 resting upon the bottom wall 33 of the hook-saddlev in the reservoir cavity 15.

It will be understood, from` the `foregoing dei scriptum, that the connected oil-ducts 55, s2, 63,

64, 66 and 61 togethercomprise a constant level auxiliary reservoir in the form of a stationary U-shaped lubricant-conduit having vertically disposed and upwardly open legs of unequal lengths.

end of the shorter or lubricant-outlet leg 61 provided by the bore of the plug-stem 68 which is disposed below the intake end of the shaft-duct 10. The shaft-bore 69 provides lubricant-conthereof, to the hook-duct externalthread of the plug-stem `68.-

leg 61 and the intake end ofthe shaft-duct 10. l

The spriral driving-gear `41 for rotating the hook is disposed to dip into the supply of lubricant contained in the reservoir-cavity 46. `Upon initiating rotation of the loop-taker 20, aportion of the oil picked up by the rotating driving-gear 41 will be deposited upon the ledge 52 and will, therefore, be automatically supplied tothe intake leg 55 of the stationary"lubricant-conduit in a valve-open position of the valve-rod 56. The quantity of oil permitted to enter the conduit intake-leg 55 may be controlled by endwise adjustment of the valve-rod 56. `The Voil entering the conduit-leg 55`is conducted into the outlet-leg 61 and in seeking Ithe level of the ledge `52,` will spill from the upper end of said outlet-leg 61. The rotating cylindrical wall of the'shaft-bore 61 coacts with the spiral thread of theplug-s'tem 68 in preventing downward seepage cfioil externally `of the stem and, consequently, the oil is caused to rise slightly above the level of the intake end of the shaft-duct 10. The vertically, inclined duct `10 functions as Aa centrifugal pump in quickly elevating oil, delivered into the lower intakeend 1|` for delivery to the hook-raceway22. y t o Upon discontinuingrotation of theloopL-taker 20, the driving-gear 41 ceases to supply voil to the ledge 52 and the excess oil will drainfrom said ledge into the lubricant-.retservoir.. However, the conduit-legs 55 and 61 will retain columns of oil equal substantially to the height of the outletleg 61.` A small quantity `of oil'will seep downwardly along the thread of the plug-stem 68 when the shaft `25 stops rotating, thereby loading the stem-thread. Upon` subsequent rotationof the stem, the oil held by the stem-thread is promptly pumped up into the shaft-ductlmthereby in suring early delivery of oil to theraceway 22 of the loop-taker. Inasmuch as theoutlet-leg `61 of the conduit is full` of lubricant when rotation above described initial priming of the pump will be promptly followed by continued delivery of oil `into the lower end` of the` shaft-duct`10 in the controlled quantity predeterminedby the setting ofthe valve-rod 56. t

In the slightly modied form ofconstruction iuustrated in Fig; 6 of `the drawings,- me` stationary U-shaped lubricant-conduit has the outletleg provided in a cylindricalplug 19 which differs from the plug 65V `primarilyinlomitting the The modified `pulg` 1s is tighuynaed into the lower portion `of the bushing opening 34,` both above and below the bushing-duct E4, and has 64. Like the plug 65, the plug 19 sealsthe bushin g-opening` 34 against deliveryA oi oil into said opening 34 `through the bushing-duct 64 except-f* i ing by way of the plug-bore 8 l; y t

The oil supplied to the intake duct 55 ofthe U-shaped conduit spills from the upper `end of the plug-bore 8l and rises in the 'shaft-bore 69 in seeking thelevel of the ledge 52. The oil thus .effect priming tli-e` Centrifugal pumpfmA and in? "4Q supplied to the shaft-bore 69 enters` theintake opening of the shaft-duct 10 and,`upon rotation of l the shaft 25, is quickly carried upwardly `through the inclined duct way22. :a l i l In a further modification, illustrated in` Fig. -7 of the drawings,` a plugl83 is tightly fitted int'o the bushing-opening 34 and differs from the plug `19 of Fig. 6 in omitting the `reduoed stem portion and in being disposed entirely below the shaft 25. The plug 83 hasan L-shaped oil-duct84,'of which one branch is in alinement with the ibushingduct 64; theother branch of the duct'84 being in vertical alinement with the intake opening of the shaft-duct V10. The vertical branclfiof` the L-shaped duct '84 comprises the short leg of a stationary U-'shaped conduit. through said conduit,: in predetermined quantity, is delivered by the plug `83 axially of theshaft 25 andrises in thexshaft-bore" 69 until the oil for delivery to the hook-raceenters the intake end ofthe inclined shaft-duct ing a lubricant-reservoir zcavity, a vertical-axis shaft rotatably journaledY in said casing and `1ongitudinally provided `with a lubricant-duct' having its lower vend forming a lubricant-intake opening, said lubricant-duct being'` upwardly inclined away from the rotationaxis` of said shaft, a loop-taker carriedlby the upper end of said shaft and having a 'thread-carrier raceway, lubricant-conductirig connections betweenV the upper end of said lubricant-duct lof the rotary shaft and said raceway, a 'stationary lubricant-conduit having lubricant conducting connections" with the intake opening of said lubricant-ductl of the shaft, said stationary vconduit.having an` intake opening disposed above the level ofthe kintake 'end of said lubricant-duct of the shaft and above `the level of fthe! supply of lubricantlinsaid reservoir cavity,` and means automatically rendered effective 'upon initiating rotation of said loop-taker for supplying lubricant from said reservoir-cavity into the intake opening of Asaid stationary con- 2. A loop-taker mechanism i for sewing `machines, comprising', Ya cha'm-bered casing providing a `lubricant-reservoir cavity,\\a vertical-axis shaft rotatably journaled in said casing and longitudinally `providedwith a `lubricant-duct having its `lowerjei'id forming a lubricant-intake opening,` said lubricant-ductbeing upwardly inclined away from the rotation axis of said shaft;` aflooptakerfcarriedby thelupper end of said shaft and having a, thread-carrier raceway, lubricant-conducting connections between `the upper end of `lubricant from said reservoir-cavity into jthe intake opening of saidstationary ctmluit,` and manually `regulatable valve-means associated with said stationary conduit for controlling` the quantityfof .lubricant delivered through said conduit.

` "35A "loop-taker mechanismfor4 sewing maill l Oil supplied chines, comprising, a chambered casing' providing a lubricant-reservoir cavity, a vertical-axis shaft rotatably `journaled in said casing and longitudinally provided with a lubricant-duct having its lower end forming a lubricant-intake opening, said lubricant-duct being upwardly inclined away from the rotation axis of said shaft, a looptaker carried by the 'upper end of said shaft and having a thread-carrier raceway, lubricant-conducting connections between the upperend of said 'lubricant-duct of the rotary shaft and said raceway, a stationary U-shaped lubricant-conduit providing upwardly open lubricant-intake and lubricant-outlet legs, said lubricant-intake leg having its open upper end disposed above the level of the supply of lubricant in said reservoir cavity and above the level of said intake end of the lubricant duct of said shaft,` and said lubricant-outlet leg being disposed-below the level of and having lubricant-conducting connections with the intake opening of said lubricant-duct of the shaft, and means automatically rendered eifective initiating upon rotation of said-looptaker for supplying lubricant from said reservoir cavity to the intake-leg of said stationary conduit'.

4. A loop-taker mechanism .for sewing machines, comprising, a chambered casing providing a lubricant-reservoir cavity, a vertical-axis shaft rotatably journaled in said casing and longitudinally provided with a lubricant-duct having its lower end forming a lubricant-intake opening, said lubricant-duct being upwardly inclined away from the rotation axis of said shaft, a loop-taker carried by the upper end of said'shaft and having a thread-carrier raceway, lubricant-conducting connections between the upper end of said lubricant-duct of the rotary shaft and-said raceway, a stationary U-shaped lubricant-conduit i providing upwardly open lubricant-intake zand lubricant-outlet legs, said lubricant-intake leg having its open upper end disposed above the level of the supply of `lubricant in said reservoir cavity and above the level of said intake end of the lubricant-duct of said shaft, and said lubricantoutlet leg having lubricant-conducting connections withl the intake openinglof said lubricantductof the shaft, means automatically rendered effective upon initiating rotation of said looptakerfor supplying lubricant from said reservoir cavity to the intake-leg of said stationary conduit, and manually regulatable-valve-means associated with the upper end of said lubricantintake leg of the stationary conduit for controlling the quantity of lubricant delivered 'through said conduit. 41 r Y 5. A vloop-.taker mechanism for` sewing machines, comprising, a chambered casing providing a lubricant-reservoir cavity, a vertical-axis shaft rotatably journaled in said casing and provided in its lower end with a downwardly open bore, said shaft being longitudinally provided with a vertically inclined lubricant-duct restricted with respect to and leading upwardly from said bore, a loop-taker carried by the upper end of said shaft vfor rotation therewith and having a thread-carrier raceway, lubricant-conducting connections between the upper end of said lubricant-duct of therotary shaft and said raceway, a stationary U-shaped lubricant-conduit connected with said bore of the shaft and providing upwardly open lubricant-intake and lubricant-outlet legs, said lubricant-intake leg having its open upper end disposed above the level of the supply of lubricant insaid reservoir-cavity and above the level Vof thsupper wan of said bore of the shaft-and said outlet leg being disposed substantially in' vertical alinement with the longitudinal axis of said bore of the shaft, means automatically rendered effective upon initiating rotation of said loop-taker for supplying lubricant from said'reservoir cavity to the intake leg of said stationary conduit, and manually regulatable means for controlling the quantity of lubricant g supplied through said stationary conduit,

6. A loop-taker mechanismv for sewing-machines, comprising, a chambered casing providing a lubricant-reservoir cavity, a vertical-axis shaft rotatably journaled in said casing and provided in its lower end with a downwardly openbore,

said shaft being longitudinally provided with a` vertically inclined lubricant-duct restricted with respect to and leading upwardly from said bore, a`

loop-taker carried by the upper end of said shaft for rotation therewith and having a thread-carrier'raceway, lubricant-conducting connections between the upper end of said lubricant-duct of `therotary shaft and said raceway, a stationary U-shaped lubricant-conduit connected rwith said bore ofthe shaft and providing upwardly open lubricant-intake and lubricant-outlet legs, said lubricant-intake leg having its open upper end disposed above the levell of the supply of lubricant Vinsai'd reservoir-cavity and above the level of the upper wallof said bore of the shaft, and said outlet leg including a tubular stem extending upwardly into said bore of the shaft, means automatically rendered effective upon initiating rotation of said loop-taker for supplying lubricant from said reservoir cavity to the'intake leg of said stationary conduit, and manually regulatable means for controlling the quantity of 1ubricant supplied through said stationary conduit.

7. A `loop-taker mechanism for sewing machines, comprising, a chambered casing providingA a lubricant-reservoir cavity, a vertical-axis shaft rotatably journaledin said casing and provided in its lower yend with a downwardly open bore, said shaft being longitudinally provided with a vertically inclined lubricant-duct restricted with respect to and leading upwardly ,from said bore, a loop-taker carried by the upper end of said shaft for rotation therewithv and having a thread-carrier raceway, lubricant-conducting connections between theupper end of said lubricant-duct of the rotary shaft and said raceway, a stationary U-shaped lubricant-conduit connected with said bore of the shaft land providing upwardly open lubricant-intake and lubricant-outletlegs, said lubricant-intake leghaving its open upper end disposed above the level of the supply of lubricant in said reservoir-cavity f and above the level of the lower end of the lubricant-duct of the shaft, and said outlet leg'including an externally threaded tubular stern extending upwardly into said bore of the shaft in close proximity to the vside wall o-f said bore, means automatically rendered effective upon initiating rotation of said loop-taker for supplying lubricant from said reservoir cavity to the intake leg of said stationary conduit, and vmanually regulatable naled in said raceway` and` restrained against ro-` tation with said loop-taker, a lubricant-collecting ledge disposed: inthe chamber of` said casing above the levels ofthe bottom wall of said lubricant reservoirucavity andthe lower end of the lubricant-duct of said shaft,` a stationarytubular stem extending upwardly into said bore of the shaft and terminating atits upper end below the level of the `lower end of said lubricant-duct, means disposed in. said-casing and automatically rendered effective upon-initiating rotationkof said loop-taker for supplying lubricant from said res` ervoir 1 to said Jledg'e, lubricant-conducting means `connecting .saidrledge and thegbore of said tubular stem, and lubricant-,conducting connections between the upperend of said lubricant-duct of the shaft and said raceway ofithe loop-taker.`

9. A loop-taker mechanism `forlsewing `machines, comprising, a chambered casingproviding a lubricant-'reservoir cavity, a vertical-axis rotary shaft journaled in said casing and having at its lower end a downwardly open longitudinal bore, said shaft being longitudinally provided with a vertically inclined lubricant-duct restricted. relatively. to and extending upwardly from said bore, a loop-taker carried by the upper end ofsaidshaftL for rotation therewith `and having a thread-carrier raceway, a thread-carrier jour.- naled in said raceway and restrained` against rotation with said loma-taker,` a lubricant-collecting ledge disposedin the chamberof `saidlcasing above the level of .the bottom wall of` said lubricant-reservoir cavity and above the lower end ofthe lubricant-duct of said shaft, a vertically disposed'` and externally` vthreaded stationary stemextendingupwardlyinto said bore oftheshaft` in close proximity to the sidewall of said bore,` said stem having an upwardly open ing, said wall having an opening terminating in saidledge, a valve-plug disposed in the Opening longitudinal `bore and having its upper end distween the upper end of saidlubricant-duct of the shaft and said raceway of the loop-taker.

10. A` loop-taker mechanism for sewing machines, comprising,`a chambered casing providinga lubricant-reservoir cavity, a horizontally disposed rotary actuatingshaft'extending into said casing, a driving gear carried by said shaft adapted to `dip into a supply of` lubricantcon- A tained in said cavity. a vertical-axis loop-taker shaft journaled'in said casing andV provided at its lower end with an axial cylindrical opening,

said loop-taker shaft being longitudinally"pro` vided with a lubricant-duct extending upwardly from said axial opening at an inclination `away from the rotation-axis of said shaft, a driven gear carried by saidloop-taker shaft `and engaged by said driving gear, a 4loop-#taker carried bythe upper end of the vertically disposed shaft for rotation therewith and having a thread-carrier raceway, a thread-carrier Vjournaled-in said raceway and restrained against rotation with said l loop-taker, lubricant-conduct means connecting said lubricant-duct of the loop-taker shaft and said raceway, a casing-wall Vproviding a lubricant-collecting ledge in the chamber of said cas-A between said of saidvwall and havingan upwardly open lubricant-duct, a valve-rod supported by said casing for `endwise adjustment and entering the upper end ofthe lubricant-duct of said valve plug, a stationary stem extending upwardly into said axial opening of the loop-taker shaft and terminating below the level of said ledge, said stem being `longitudinally provided with an upwardly open kbore; and lubricant-conducting connections the `lubricant-duct of said valve-plug and the bore of said stem.

`ll. AT loop-taker mechanism lubricant-reservoir `cavity and a bottom wall portion providing in the chamber ofthe casing a horizontally disposed lubricant-collecting` ledge disposedabove the level of the bottom wall of said lubricant-reservoir cavity, a` horizontally disposed rotary actuating shaft extending into vsaid casing, a driving gear carried by said shaft adapted to dip into a supply of lubricant contained in'said cavity, a vertically disposed looptakenshait provided at its lower end with a cylindrical opening, said loop-taker shaft ,being longitudinally provided with a lubricant-duct extending upwardly from said opening at an inclination awayfrom the rotation-axis of said shaft, bearings for said shaft including a vertically apertured-bearing-bushing disposed in the bottom wall of said casing, aI driven gear secured upon l said shaft intermediate the ends thereof and engagedby said driving gear forrotatingsaidlooptaker shaft, `a loop-taker carriedby `the upper end ofthe vertically disposed shaft and having a thread-carrier raceway, a `thread-carrier journaled inI said raceway and restrained against rotation `with said loop-taker,A 4lubricant-conduit means connecting` said lubricant-duct of the looptaker shaft andsaid raceway,` a plug carried by said bearing-bushing` and having `a reduced stem portion extending upwardly into said opening of the `loop-taker shaft, said stem being longitudinally provided with an upwardly open bore and terminating at its upper` end below the` level of said lubricant-collecting ledge, a.` valve-openingl in said ledge, a manually adjustable valve-member complemental to said valve-,opening in regulating the quantity of lubricant entering said valve-opening, and lubricant-conduitconnections valve-opening and the bore of said N12. A loop-taker mechanism for `sewing machines, comprising, a chambered ,casing having a" primary lubricant-reservoir cavity and a thickened bottomwall portion providing in thechamber of the casing a raised lubricant-collecting ledge; said bottom wall having a valve-regulated lubricant duct terminating in said ledge, and said bottom wall being provided with an auxiliary reservoir cavity having lubricant-conducting connections with said primary reservoir cavity, a horizontally disposed rota-ry actuating shaft extending into said casing, a driving gear carried by said shaft adapted to` dip into a supply of 1ubricant contained in said `primary reservoir cavity, a vertical-axis rotary loop-taker shaft journaled in said casing and provided at its lower end with a cylindrical opening, said loop-taker shaft being longitudinally provided with alubricant-duct extending upwardly from said opening at an inclination away from the rotation-axis of said shaft, a driven gear carried by said shaft and engaged by said driving gear; a loop-taker `for sewing machinesfcomprising, a chambered casing having a upwardly into said cylindrical opening of the loop-taker shaft in close proximity to the side wall of said cylindrical opening, said stem havn ing an upwardly open lubricant-conducting bore,

lubricant-conduit means connecting said valveregulated duct of the casing bottom wall with the bore of said stem, and an oil-level test-rod removably disposed inv a wall of said casing and extendinginto said auxiliary reservoir cavity in the casing bottom wall.

13.- A loop-taker mechanism for sewing machines, comprising, achambered casing providing a lubricant-reservoir cavity, a vertical-axis shaft rotatably journaled in said casing and longitudinally provided with a vertically inclined Alubricant-duct having its lower end formin'g a lubricant-intake opening, a loop-taker carried by the upper end of said shaft and having a threadcarrier raceway, lubricant-conducting connections between the upper end of said lubricantduct of the rotary shaft and said raceway, a stationary U-shaped lubricant-conduit providing upwardly open lubricant-intake and lubricantoutlet legs, said lubricant-intake leg of the stationary conduit having its open upper end disposed above the level of the supply' of lubricant in said reservoircavity and above the level of said intake end of the lubricant-duct of said shaft, and said lubricant-outlet leg having its upper end disposed below and in tsubstantial vertical aline'- ment with said intake end of the lubricant-duct of said shaft, means automatically rendered effective upon initiating rotation of said loop-taker for supplying lubricant from said reservoir cavity to the intake-leg of said stationary conduit, and manually regulatable means for controlling the quantity of lubricant delivered through said conduit.

14. A sewing machine having, invcombination,

a work-support, a bracket disposedbelow said worksupport,a vertical shaft rotatably journaled in said bracket and provided with centrifugally taker being provided with'means for delivering.

' lubricant from the upper endof saidlub'ricantduct to said raceway,` a memberapertured to surround the intake-opening "portion of said shaft, a lubricant-reservoir, a constantllevele'oilcollecting ledge connected with and disposed above the level of'the supply of lubricant in 'said reservoir, said ledge being .disposed below the' level of said loop-taker andabofvethelevel' of the intake-opening Lend of said shaft, ,means vautomatically rendered effective .up'on rotation of said shaft for supplying lubricanttfrom said race-way, said'loop-taker being' provided with means for delivering oil from said shaft to said raceway, a main oil-reservoir disposed below said loop-taker, an auxiliary oil-reservoir disposed between said main reservoir and said shaft, said auxiliary oil-reservoir having an intake opening above the level of the supply of oil in the main reservoir and having oil-conducting connections with the lower end of said shaft, and means autolubricant reservoir to said ledge,` and a lubricantconduit connection between said ledge and the aperture of said member.

16. A loop-taker mechanism for sewing machines,'comprising, a chambered casing forming a lubricant-reservoirv cavity, a bushing secured in said casing and vertically provided with a bearing-opening, a vertical-axis shaft rotatably journaled in the bearing-opening 0f said bushing, said shaft being' longitudinally provided. with a lubricant-duct having an intakey opening at the lower end of the shaft, a loop-taker carried by the upperend of said shaft and having al thread-carrier raceway, said loop-taker being provided with means for delivering lubricant from the upper end of said lubricant-duct of the shaft to said raceway, a stationary lubricantconduit connected with said bearing-opening of the bushing below said Shaft and having its lubricant intake end disposed above the level of a supply of lubricant in said reservoir and above the level ofthe intake opening of the shaft lubricant-duct, and means dipping into the supply of lubricant in said cavity and automatically rendered effective upon rotation of said shaft for supplying lubricant from said lubricant-reservoir of the casing into the intake opening ofA said stationary' lubricant-conduit.

17. A loop-taker mechanism forr sewing machines, comprising, a chambered casing forming a lubricant-reservoir cavity, a bushing secured in said casing and vertically provided with a. bearing-opening, av vertical-axis shaft rotatably journaled in the bearing-opening `of said bushing, Said shaft being longitudinally provided with'a lubricant-duct having an intake opening at the lower end of the shaft, a loop-taker carried by the upper end of said, shaft and having a thread-carrierraceway, said loop-taker being provided-with means for delivering lubricant from the upper end of said lubricant-duct of the shaft to said raceway, a lubricant-collecting ledge. connected with the lubricant-reservoir cavity of said casing and disposed above the level of the supply of lubricant in, said cavity, a lubricant-conduit leading from said ledge and terminating in said bearing-opening of the bushing below said intake opening of the shaft, and means dipping intothe Supply ofl lubricant in said cavity and automatically rendered effective upon rotation of said shaft for supplying lubricant` to said ledge.

` FRANK PARRY. 

